Victorian Bedroom Decor: Colors, Furniture and Ideas

Victorian bedroom decor comes down to layers: deep or muted wall color, a substantial carved or upholstered bed, heavy drapery, patterned textiles and plenty of framed objects. You don't need a period house to get the look. A few well-chosen pieces and a controlled palette will do most of the work.

The photos below lean dark and moody, which is why this post started life under a Gothic label. The Victorian vocabulary is a close cousin, and the same rules apply: pick a palette, scale the furniture to the room, and layer texture and light.

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What are the defining characteristics of a Victorian bedroom?

The style grew out of the 19th century, when several revival styles overlapped. The U.S. National Park Service notes that the Greek Revival style was popular in America from the 1830s through the 1860s, and that the Italianate style was most prevalent between the 1850s and the 1880s. Interiors of those houses mixed classical, Italian and later influences, which explains why Victorian rooms feel so layered.

In a bedroom, these traits show up again and again:

• Ornate, substantial furniture: carved wood or iron beds, tall headboards, marble-topped or heavy dressers.
• Rich or muted color on the walls, often with patterned wallpaper or paneling.
• Full-length drapes, sometimes with a valance, over lighter sheers.
• Pattern on pattern: florals, damask, stripes and plaids, held together by a limited palette.
• Decorative detail at the architecture level, such as crown molding, picture rails and a ceiling medallion.

That last point has a precedent. The Park Service describes decorative eave brackets and applied detail at the roof line as the dominant feature of Italianate buildings, and the same love of trim carried inside as molding and cornices.

What are the best Victorian bedroom colors?

Victorian bedroom colors range from deep jewel tones to softer, dusty shades. Think burgundy, forest green, navy, plum and chocolate brown, or the quieter versions: sage, dusty rose, mushroom and cream. Dark trim and ceilings were common, but pale walls with dark woodwork also read as Victorian.

A simple way to build a palette is to choose one dominant color for the walls, one lighter tone for trim or bedding, and one accent for pillows and art. Brass, aged gold or dark wood then ties them together.

How to make a dark Victorian bedroom restful

A dark Victorian bedroom can be a good sleeping room, because low contrast and low light suit winding down. The trouble is that dark walls absorb light, so the room can feel like a cave at 4 p.m. Use matte or eggshell paint, which softens glare, and plan three light sources at different heights: a ceiling fixture on a dimmer, a lamp on each nightstand and perhaps a wall sconce. Warm bulbs keep the walls glowing rather than gray.

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Ornate furniture and headboards

The bed is the anchor. A tall carved wood, wrought iron or tufted upholstered headboard gives the room its period feel. As an architect, I'd spend the budget here and keep the rest simpler.

Measure before you buy. Leave about 24-36 inches of walking space on the sides and foot of the bed, and don't crowd a heavy bed into a room where the door can't open fully. Add one carved dresser or a vanity, a bench at the foot of the bed, and a single armchair if there's room.

If you share your bed with a dog, choose a washable duvet cover and a tightly woven throw. Velvet is lovely but holds hair, so keep it for pillows you can brush off.

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Decor, textiles and wall decoration

Layer the bed with a quilt or coverlet, a few pillows in different scales of pattern, and a bolster. On the windows, hang drapes high and wide so they frame the window and don't cut it in half. Rugs in Persian or floral patterns suit the style and hide wear well.

On the walls, group framed botanical prints, silhouettes or portraits in a salon-style arrangement. Keep the frames in two or three finishes so the wall looks collected, not chaotic. A large mirror with an ornate frame bounces lamp light back into the room.

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How do you decorate a modern Victorian style bedroom?

A modern Victorian style bedroom keeps the shapes and drops the clutter. Choose one statement element, such as a carved headboard or a bold wallpaper, and let the rest be calmer: plain bedding, clean-lined nightstands and fewer accessories. Mix in contemporary lighting so the room doesn't feel like a museum.

Simple Victorian bedroom decor works the same way. Paint the walls a muted tone, add one patterned textile, hang a mirror and stop. If you like the mood but want a different flavor, the greyish blue bedroom ideas post shows a softer palette that pairs well with period furniture.

Small Victorian bedroom ideas

Small rooms can handle the style if you control scale. I recommend one large piece, usually the bed, and low or slim pieces around it.

• Paint walls and ceiling the same deep color to blur the corners, or go pale and rely on dark furniture for contrast.
• Use wall-mounted sconces instead of bedside lamps to free up nightstand space.
• Pick one patterned element, such as wallpaper on the headboard wall, and keep the rest solid.
• Hang drapes close to the ceiling to make the walls look taller.

Attic rooms need extra thought. The advice in decorating a bedroom with slanted ceilings helps you place a tall bed and wardrobe under a sloped wall. For more space-saving ideas, see small bedroom ideas.

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Start with the bed and the wall color, live with them for a week, then add textiles and art. Victorian rooms look best when they grow in layers.

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